Create combination target shapes

You can create a new target shape that is driven by one or more other target shapes. This allows you to have more control over subtle shapes, such as when doing facial animation. For example, a target shape for a smile on a character's face might work well on its own, but doesn't work as well combined with other target shapes. In this case, you could add a new target shape that enhances or corrects the target shapes when they're combined.

The combination target shape is driven by other target shapes, so when you edit the shape or weight value of the contributing target shapes (drivers), the combination target shape also changes to reflect that. In fact, it has no weight value of its own that you can change directly.

If you already have a target shape that you want to use, you can set that one as a combination target shape.

Watch this video or follow the steps below to create combination target shapes.

Note: This video illustrates how to create combination target shapes in Maya, but you can do the same in Maya LT.

To create a combination target shape

1. In the Shape Editor, select one or more target shapes that belong to the same blend shape deformer. These will be the driver target shapes.

   You can also select one or more groups of target shapes.

2. Choose Create > Add Combination Target or right-click one of the selected target shapes and choose Add Combination Target.

A new target shape is created, with the names of the driver target shapes displayed beside it. Its weight (displayed in yellow) is driven by the contributing target shapes according to the Method used.

To use an existing target shape as a combination target shape

1. In the Shape Editor, select one or more target shapes that belong to the same blend shape deformer. These will be the driver target shapes.

   You can also select one or more groups of target shapes.

2. Press Shift and add the target shape you want to use as the combination to the selection (it needs to be the last one selected).
3. Choose Shapes > Set as Combination Target or right-click one of the selected target shapes and choose Set as Combination Target.

   The last selected target shape becomes the combination target shape with the other selected target shapes being the drivers. Their names are displayed beside the combination target shape. Its weight (displayed in yellow) is driven by the contributing target shapes when their weights are at 1 (100% activation).

To use an existing mesh as a combination target shape

1. Select one or more meshes to act as the driver target shape(s).
2. Select a mesh to use as the combination target.
3. In the Shape Editor, create a new blend shape deformer or select an existing one.
4. Go to Create > Add Selection as Combination Target or right-click the selected blend shape deformer and select Add Selection as Combination Target.

   Maya adds a combination target shape to the blend shape deformer with the other selected meshes being the drivers. Their names are displayed beside the combination target shape. Its weight (displayed in yellow) is driven by the contributing target shapes when their weights are at 1 (100% activation).

To select the driver target shapes

1. In the Shape Editor, select a combination target shape.
2. Right-click it and choose Select Combination Drivers.

To add driver target shapes

1. In the Shape Editor, select one or more driver target shapes to add to the combination target shape.
2. Press Ctrl and add the desired combination target to the selection.
3. Right-click the selection and choose Add Selection as Combination Driver to add the driver target shapes to the combination target's driver list.

To remove driver target shapes

1. In the Shape Editor, select one or more driver target shapes to remove.
2. Press Shift or Ctrl and add the desired combination target shape to the selection.
3. Right-click the selection and choose Remove Selection from Combination Drivers to remove the driver target shapes from the driver list for the combination target.